The Chatham Winter Weather Survival Drive Program (WWSD) is dedicated to the mission to provide new and gently used winter outerwear to the vulnerable population of Chatham County, NC. This includes the unsheltered, inadequately housed, those without heating, and individuals/families lacking funds to obtain protection from the dangers of sub-freezing temperatures.
In 2024/25 the WWSD is focused on our Chatham County children. In the 2023/24 School year, 385 homeless children were identified by the Chatham County School System. No child should attend school without a warm coat, hat, and gloves!
What Chatham WWSD Does
Large indoor bins are placed at convenient collection locations. Donations are then tagged, organized, inventoried, and stored at our Storage/Processing Center in the 79°West Coworking Space of Mosaic at Chatham Park, a sponsor. Items are distributed through schools, service providers, and events.
In 2023/24, there were eight collection locations in North Chatham, Pittsboro, Siler City, and Goldston. A team of 80 volunteers picked up, transported, processed, and maintained inventory at our Storage Center. Over 4,850 winter outerwear items were distributed to hundreds of individuals.
How You Can Help
Donate new or clean gently used winter outerwear items, suitable for men, women, and with our special focus on children
Winter coats & jackets (especially children’s)
Gloves, hats, scarves
New wool or thermal socks
Heavy sweaters
Sweatshirts, hoodies, thermal shirts
Flannel shirts
Blankets, sleeping bags
Collection Locations open for donations October 1
Volunteers are Needed
Join the WWSD Advisory Committee
Pick up and transport donated items from collection locations to Storage Center
Process, inventory and store donations at Storage Center
Transport processed donations to service providers or events
Other Support
Amazon Wish List
Collection Location Partners
Storage Center Sustainability
Transportation
Donation of Funds
In-Kind Sponsorship and/or Underwriting